Best exhaust setup for SC

[hilandscott]

I saw an earlier thread on the topic that wasn't resolved. Given that most folks need heat, I was told an aftermarket heat exchanger with 1 5/8" tubing is best for the 3.0L SC, and that stainless is most durable. That leaves SSI (which most rave about) and B&B. I don't know about GHL. Aside from the abvious cost comparisons, who has experience with these? I have heard that B&B doesn't perform as well as the SSIs, but have never seen numbers to back this up.

Regarding headers, which are much cheaper (and also may not require the changes in oil lines like the SSI): What about a way to get heat to the windows to keep the fog down? I don't need heat in Georgia, but it is often humid enough that running without a way to defog the windows is dangerous. Any creative minds found a way to go the cost-effective maximum power route?

I have also not yet seen header (such as Euro version) comparisons with the SSI (or B&B, GHL) for the 3.0's. It may not be much at all to speak of, as all of the manufacturers list comparisons with the larger displacement (3.6L) and turbocharged cars. I'm not just interested in HP numbers, also the low end throttle response and satisfaction folks have with the aftermarket setups.

John

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'78 911 SC 3.0

[Bill Verburg]

Here's a pic of SSI's on a 3.6. The 3.2 will be very similar. Note the homemade heater connections. Mike Bavaro at Automotion sells a more professionally modified setup(at a more professional price). Thw SSI's at 1.5" OD(1.375" ID)primary pipes is right on the edge of small for the 3.2's but are perfect for street driven 2.7 and 3 liter 911s.


Here' a pic of B&B 1.75" OD(1.625" ID) primary pipes on the same 3.6. While this is too large for a street 3.2, they do sell 1.625" OD(1.5"ID) sets of the same design which would be more appropriate for 3.2. Note the stock heater connections.


Heres a pic of the new GHL setup, 1.625" OD(1.5" ID), with heat and cats.

The GHL setup does not have the ~31" long primary tubes of the other 2 thus will not be tuned to a rev range. It seems to be similar to the 993 header, which only provides less restrictive flow rather than rpm related exhaust extraction. It will probably be less peaky as a result. The SSI gave the 3 liter a bit of a peaky power curve when the exhaust pulses started resonating(extraction, not noise) with each other above 4000.

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Bill Verburg
My Home Page My Pelican Gallery page My Porsche Owners Gallery Page

[hilandscott]

Thanks for the side-by-side comparison pics, Bill. Any comments on the performance of each for your SC, or annoying resonance at highway speeds? Since you have tried the SSI and B&B, (with the same muffler?) any thoughts as to performance on the stock 3.0? They both look like nice products: construction, durability.

The smaller ID of the SSI, at 1.4", isn't too restrictive for the stock SC engine, though it is a bit smaller than the others.

Try headers? Any other comments...

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'78 911 SC 3.0

[Bill Verburg]

The SSI's are just about perfect for a street 3 liter, even when modified.

The SSI and B&B don't use the same pipe spacing so mufflers are also unique. The resonance that is often complained about is a function of mufflers. When new the B&B mufflers used with the SSI were great, but they always cracked and became obnoxious as a result. Currently I am using a Fabiani with the B&B headers. Sound is on the loud side but I like it a lot, very racey! Others will certainly have their own views on mufflers. I am currently working on getting some sound bytes onto my homepage, just need a little more free time.

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Bill Verburg
My Home Page My Pelican Gallery page My Porsche Owners Gallery Page

[emcon5]

I was pretty fired up about the GHL system, until I saw that they want $3000 for them.

Porsche tax is just a little to high on that one.

Tom



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82 911SC Coupe

[hilandscott]

So, summing it up...

Bill is of the opinion that the SSIs are best one can do for the 3.0L (and 3.2L for that matter), expect for possibly the Euro style headers-- which no one has commented on since it seems all need heat for some reason.

The B&B larger 1 3/4" works well for the larger engines, but is on the big side for the 3.0L.

So, which mufflers work best for sound (nice but not resonance) and durability?

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'78 911 SC 3.0

[Randy W]

I think that, for the street, an early OEM two-in, one-out muffler is still one of the best sounding, most durable, no resonance mufflers to use with SSIs on a 3.0. All other mufflers will be significantly louder, which will mask much of that mechanical flat six sound.

Randy Wells

[Bill Verburg]

My rule of thumb for mufflers is, The engine cooling fan should be heard at speed. The Fabiani qualifies on that account. Others may be more finicky(I know the guys that I play tennis with are less tolerant of the noise than I)

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Bill Verburg
My Home Page My Pelican Gallery page My Porsche Owners Gallery Page